Puppy advice

[spokewench]

I'm probably going to get blasted here, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't think anyone gone for 10 hours a day should have any kind of dog! It is not fair to the dog

spoke

[Wahine]

I agree Spoke. That's why I was trying to find out how other people had managed bringing dogs to work with them. There is no way I would leave a dog alone for 10 hours. I'm trying to figure out a way that I can bring a dog to work with me for the times that my husband is not home or can't take care of it. Right now he's not working but he might get a part time job.

If I don't have a way to manage the situation without leaving the dog for long periods, I won't be having a dog. As it stands, my employers are supportive as long as I can mange it such that the dog is not disruptive to the work environment. I was originally thinking I would have to bring a puppy in every day with me because my husband did not want to be saddled with puppy rearing. But now that I'm thinking more on the lines of an adult dog, he's more receptive.

Thanks for voicing your opinion, it's a very good point.

[divingbiker]

I'm probably going to get blasted here, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't think anyone gone for 10 hours a day should have any kind of dog! It is not fair to the dog

spoke

There are ways to make it work. I always have more than one dog, so they keep each other company. And I have a dog walker come every day at noon to take them for a long walk. My dogs seem happy, and they sleep all day anyway.

I agree that no dog should be left alone for 10 hours.

[Wahine]

So here's where things stand

a) I've pretty much given up on the puppy thing

b) If I got a dog (ie adult) it would stay home when there was someone to take care of it, like my husband and/or neighbors

c) I don't see needing to take it to classes, I've trained several adult dogs for advanced obedience and am well grounded in behavioural techniques, I would do the training in the evenings or when I have time during the day.

d) at times when there was no one to help at home the dog would go to a sitter or come with me to work (I don't work at a gym, I work at a PT clinc but we have a gym area with lots of room where I could keep the dog during working hours while I am with clients, between clients or while doing paper work the dog could hang out directly with me in my office.)

e) part of the reason I'm choosing a bullmastiff is that they tend to sleep anywhere from 10 to 18 hours per day, have low exercise and grooming needs.

f) bullmastiffs can have aggression issues - especially with other dogs, I'm aware of this (I have owned one before that had some issues) and am willing to take the necessary precautions should something like this arise.

Am I still missing something?

[Tuckervill]

I think you've got it all together, girl. You go.

I have very specific things I do and do not expect from my canine relationships. Many "dog" people would not agree with some of them. I don't care. Our lifestyle flexes to includes dogs. We have very happy, healthy, well-behaved dogs who I am proud to own. It all works for us. Do what works for you.

Karen

[sundial]

Wahine, I think you're set on go. As long as the patients (and boss) don't object to having one big love bug hogging the gym, I think it's a viable plan.

Kerrybelle, I could kiss Casey's little nose.

[kdskaggs]

Just one lucky dog!

Kenda

[Wahine]

LOL, I've been looking.

There's a possibility down in Eugene. It's a 3 hour drive. DH and I are discussing it.

[Veronica]

Wahine, when you finally do get a dog, will you start a new thread please? I've mostly stopped reading this one, excpet when I see that you have posted.

Thanks!

V.

[Wahine]

Definitely V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

f) bullmastiffs can have aggression issues - especially with other dogs, I'm aware of this (I have owned one before that had some issues) and am willing to take the necessary precautions should something like this arise.

This is the aspect that bothers me.
Is this grown dog going to react badly if you are in the bathroom and the dog is in your office and a stranger suddenly walks in?....or worse yet, if some little kid enters your work place when you are not right there with your dog at the moment, and runs up squealing to pet the doggie?
How will you prevent this if you are not with the dog every second? You can't really control other people's unexpected movements in your workplace.

[kerrybelle]

Bullmastiffs' are people dogs, they love people! They tend to be aggressive towards other animals not people. It would probably be apparent when first meeting the dog if they had any issues with people.

A German Shepherd is more likely to do something if the owner isn't there, because they are protective of their space. Bullmastiffs are protective of their owner.

[Wahine]

+1 what Kerrybelle said. Also, if you're adopting an adult dog, they are evaluated and you would know before getting the dog if there was a people problem. Attacks on people are far more likely with many other breeds. The issue is with other dogs.

Not only that, the dog would not have free run of the office, when not with me it would be crated or kenneled in a quiet space. My clinic is set up that I am not unexpectedly interrupted by a patient/child/whatever, they have to get past reception first.

[sundial]

A German Shepherd is more likely to do something if the owner isn't there, because they are protective of their space. Bullmastiffs are protective of their owner.

Gsds, like people, come in all flavors of temperaments. Of my 4 dogs (3 of which are german shepherds) the australian shepherd is the one who will clean your clock if you try something stupid. Like the bully, German shepherds prefer to bond with one person in the family. Unlike the bully, they *have* to have a job to do or else they will create one of their own, which usually isn't a pretty sight.